The stretch of Highway 49 between Jonesboro and Paragould looks like a simple commute on the map, but it hides plenty of reasons to slow down. Most of the action centers on Brookland, where a general store, a coffee drive-through, burger spots, and barbecue sit within a short drive of each other. Add a state park on Crowley’s Ridge and a Saturday night country music show, and you have a full day of stops.
Some of these places are great for a quick bite on the way through. Others deserve an actual plan, like picking the right day of the week, since several are closed on Sundays or weekends. Here are seven spots that turn an ordinary drive into a trip you will want to repeat.
1. American Made General Store, Brookland, AR
Candy, yard decor, toys, clothes, and kitchen items all share one roof here, which makes browsing a bit of a treasure hunt. The store sits at 6651 Hwy 49N, right on the main route between Jonesboro and Paragould.
It bills itself as an American-made general store with a deli counter and a mix of local goods. Amish-made outdoor furniture and sale sheds are also part of the lineup, so it can be a stop for more than snacks.
Prices run a little on the higher side, which is common for specialty and handmade goods. It is a good quick visit if you are passing by and want something you will not find at a big box store.
The store is open Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 7 PM and closed Sunday. Saturday afternoon is the busiest time, so a weekday visit gives you more room to wander. Free parking is available, and there is a restroom on site.
2. Champion Coffee – Brookland, Brookland, AR
Commuters between Paragould and Jonesboro have a handy caffeine checkpoint at 8125 US 49. Champion Coffee is a drive-through shop, so you can grab a drink without losing much time.
The menu centers on coffee, and the tea selection gets attention too. Prices fall in the $1 to $10 range per person, and there is a kids’ menu for younger passengers.
Takeout and delivery are both options, and the vibe is casual and a little trendy. Reservations are not accepted, which fits a place built around speed.
Hours are Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 4 PM and Saturday from 8 AM to 2 PM. It is closed Sunday, so plan your caffeine accordingly. Free parking is available if you want to step out of the car.
3. Lake Frierson State Park, Jonesboro, AR
Crowley’s Ridge gives this park its setting, about ten miles north of Jonesboro on Highway 141. A lake anchors the grounds, and a fishing pier and boat ramp make the water easy to use.
The visitor center has nature exhibits and a bait shop. Fishing boats and kayaks can be rented, which helps if you showed up without gear.
Interpretive hiking trails wind through the park, and some are kid-friendly. Picnic tables, barbecue grills, and public restrooms are available, so lunch by the water is simple to pull off.
Families will find a playground with slides and swings. Dogs are allowed, which is good news for road trippers with a four-legged passenger. Saturday afternoon is the busiest time, and weekdays tend to be much quieter.
4. Blazing Buffalo – Brookland, Brookland, AR
Game day seems to be the default setting at 556 W School St. Blazing Buffalo is a sports-themed family restaurant, and its wings anchor a menu of casual American fare.
Appetizers get plenty of room on the list, including fried pickles, cheese curds, jalapeno bacon wraps, onion rings, and naked nachos. Blazing Shrimp, street tacos, and cheese fries round things out.
Table service, dine-in, takeout, and a drive-through are all available. High chairs and a kids’ menu make it easy with little ones, and groups have room to spread out.
Meals generally run $10 to $20 per person. Hours are 10:30 AM to 9 PM most days, stretching to 9:30 PM on Friday and Saturday. Free parking is usually plentiful, even at the Friday evening rush.
5. Howler’s Smash Co., Brookland, AR
Breakfast on weekends is not something you expect from a smash burger joint, yet Howler’s Smash Co. pulls it off. The shop at 6127 US 49 serves burgers and hot dogs, with weekend morning hours added on Saturday starting at 7 AM.
The double bacon cheeseburger is a signature order, and smashed potatoes show up as a side. Grilled onions and jalapenos can be piled on, and the house howler sauce brings a spicy kick.
Dine-in and takeout are both offered, and the setting is casual. Meals typically cost $10 to $20 per person, and the place works for solo diners, students, and families alike.
Hours run Tuesday through Friday and Sunday from 10 AM to 8 PM, and Saturday from 7 AM to 8 PM. It is closed Monday, so keep that in mind. Free parking is available.
6. B-Town BBQ, Brookland, AR
Weekday lunch is the main event at B-Town BBQ, since the doors close on Saturday and Sunday. Tucked just off US 49 on County Road 9501 in rural Craighead County, it serves smoked meats in a casual setting.
Smoked specialties are the draw, and the chicken gets its own share of praise. It is comfort food built for a quick bite, whether you dine in or take it to go.
Hours are Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 7 PM. That makes it a solid option for both lunch and an early dinner.
Delivery is not offered, but free parking and a restroom are on site. Kids are welcome, and solo diners fit right in.
7. Roundup Music Show, Brookland, AR
Saturday night has a set schedule in Brookland: live country music from 6 to 8:30 PM. The Roundup Music Show is held at 9171 US-49 Business, in a venue with theater-style seating.
Local talent takes the stage with old-fashioned country tunes and some 1950s rock and roll. The show is built as wholesome family entertainment at affordable prices.
Restrooms are clean, and concessions are reasonably priced. There is no restaurant, so plan to eat elsewhere before or after, perhaps at one of the other Brookland stops.
The venue is closed the rest of the week, so Saturday is the only chance. It makes a fine way to end a day on the Highway 49 corridor.
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